Matter Smart Home Standard – Everything You Need to Know 

Last updated on 1 December, 2023

Smart home technology has expanded at an overwhelming rate, which has made the market a more confusing space to shop. With over 130 million households in the country owning a smart device in 2022, there has been a growing need for smart home simplification.

That’s where Matter comes in. This new industry standard promises to make smart homes even more accessible, interoperable, and secure—solving many of the pain points in the ever-growing market.

New Cync smart bulbs and smart plugs will include Matter compatibility.

In this article, we’re going to go into detail about what a Matter smart home will look like, feel like, what products will be included at launch, and what the benefits are for you.

What Is the Matter Smart Home Standard?

Matter, the new smart home standard, is designed to unify the muddled market by creating a common language for smart devices. And it comes with many benefits for both manufacturers and consumers.

For consumers, it means:

• Interoperability: Now, you’ll be able to mix and match smart devices from different manufacturers and be confident that they’ll work together.
• Simplicity: Matter-enabled devices will be easy to set up and control, making the smart home experience more accessible to everyone.
• Security: Matter incorporates the latest security technologies so your devices are protected.

For manufacturers, it means:

• Innovation: By creating a common language for smart home devices, Matter is expected to spur innovation in the smart home industry—leading to new, exciting products and services.
• Compatibility: Manufacturers will be able to build devices that are compatible with a wide range of smart home ecosystems, making it easier for them to reach new customers and markets.
• Flexibility: Matter is an open-source, royalty-free standard, which means it can be used by any manufacturer, developer, or service provider—giving them the freedom to innovate and create new products and services.

When Is the Matter Smart Home Release Date?

Created in 2019, Matter officially launched in November 2022. In other words, Matter is here, and ready to bring many of your smart home products together.

How Does Matter Work?

Matter is based on Internet Protocol (IP). Which means Matter devices connect to your network through your existing Wi-Fi or Thread network and communicate with other devices that support the IP protocol using a common language.

Which Devices Are Compatible With Matter?

Many devices are compatible with Matter since the standard is designed to work across a wide range of devices—including thermostats, cameras, door locks, smart speakers, and so many more. As for Cync products, our smart bulbs and smart plugs will be compatible, with many more of our products on the way.

Will Matter Work With Older Smart Home Devices?

It depends on the hardware of the device. If you own a newer device that runs through Wi-Fi or Thread, there’s a very good chance it will upgrade to become compatible with Matter. This could occur through a software update or if the manufacturer’s bridge or hub is Matter-compatible.

On the other hand, devices with an older IP protocol will most likely not be able to individually upgrade—unless they’re connected through a compatible bridge or hub. These products will eventually be phased out by Matter-compatible products.

Does Matter Work With Google?

As of December 2022, Google enabled Matter products in the Google Home App and added it to many of its Nest and Android devices, including:

• Google Home Speaker
• Google Home Mini
• Nest Mini
• Nest Audio
• Nest Hub (1st and 2nd Gen) & Nest Hub Max
• Nest Wi-Fi Pro

All Nest displays and Speakers, including Google Assistant, will soon be updated so they can control devices featuring a Matter stamp.

Will HomeKit Support Matter?

Yes, it will. You’ll be able to control Matter-compatible devices with HomeKit-enabled devices through the Home App and using Siri. In fact, any iOS app that uses the HomeKit API and has an Apple HomeKit entitlement can use the Apple Home App to be able to control Matter devices.

Does Matter Work with Apple?

Apple is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance. So, starting in iOS 16.1, all Matter devices can be controlled in your Home app—including Apple’s HomePod, HomePod Mini, all of Apple’s operating systems (watchOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and Homepod software, and more.)

Does Matter Work With Alexa?

Amazon is expanding its Matter support throughout its devices—including 17 Amazon Echo devices. As of right now, they only support Matter through Wi-Fi, but the Echo 4th-Gen smart speaker will be updated as a Thread border router that will expand the company’s Matter support to devices like sensors, thermostats, blinds, as well as their Eero mesh network, remaining Echo devices, and iOS Alexa App.

Does Matter Work Over Wi-Fi?

Yes, Matter smart home standard works over Wi-Fi, as well as Thread. It doesn’t require a central bridge or hub. Devices talk directly to each other through Wi-Fi or Thread.

Is Matter Secure and Private?

One of the primary reasons for Matter’s development is to keep devices secure—which will alleviate customer hesitation with smart home technology. The biggest advantage with Matter devices is that they have direct IP control. This allows the device to speak directly to Wi-Fi—so the only data that’s being shared is between you and the manufacturer. Plus, this new smart home standard minimizes the need for inputting passwords to connect different devices and ecosystems together—another benefit to Matter.

Enjoy your Matter-compatible devices.

In summary: Matter is here to make your smart home experience simpler, more obtainable, and more secure.

Be on the lookout for Matter-compatible Cync products.